Reconsider pangolin sanctuary as new tourist attraction — Liew

KOTA KINABALU: ApiApi assemblywoman Datuk Christina Liew urged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to reconsider the proposed Tawau Pangolin Sanctuary as a new wildlife tourist attraction in Sabah.

Speaking at the debate session at the State Assembly sitting on Monday, Liew said with the State Government’s efforts to restore and develop the tourism sector through various initiatives next year, she hopes it will bear fruit to resuscitate Sabah’s economy.

“With the recovery of the tourism sector, I urge the government to develop more new tourism destinations to attract new and repeat visitors to Sabah.

“In this respect, I call on the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to reconsider the proposed Tawau Pangolin Sanctuary as a new wildlife tourist attraction within the protected Tawau Hills Park.

“It was mooted in 2018 during my tenure as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment. In fact, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the sanctuary was signed between the Arizona Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute or SAPSARI Arizona, and Sabah Wildlife Department in June 2019,” she said.

According to Liew, the founder of SAPSARI Arizona, Peter Chan is still committed and waiting to work with the State Government for the development of the project.

Welcoming the 2023 State Budget that was tabled by Chief Minister cum State Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor last Friday, she hopes the budget will propel Sabah towards economic recovery and bring relief to the rakyat, especially underprivileged families in the poorest districts.